Beginning a new career can be daunting in the best of circumstances. Beginning in a field that is primarily male-dominated is even more so. Although their numbers have grown rapidly, female professors at the University of Ottawa still comprise less than a third of the University’s faculty.
In response to feedback from new women faculty at the University, the Centre for University Teaching, spearheaded by director Aline Germain-Rutherford, created a group support network called the Community of Women Scholars in the fall of 2004.
The group meets monthly, inviting guest speakers to discuss issues that relate directly to them. In December, the speaker was retired chemistry professor Margaret Bach, who was the sole woman professor in the Department of Chemistry when she started in the mid-60s.
“The Community of Women Scholars provides a great atmosphere where female faculty members can share their experiences — their triumphs and struggles — in what has historically been a male-dominated field,” says Audrey R. Giles, assistant professor in leisure studies, at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The group provides an “opportunity to collaborate with other women faculty members and learn some of the challenges they face, as well as some of the methods they have developed to meet these challenges,” says Rashmi Venkateswaran, an instructor and lab coordinator in the Department of Chemistry. “It allows us to realize we are not alone in facing and overcoming certain difficulties.”
Over and above the monthly meetings, there is an online community set up for the group. By logging in, the group members have access to a discussion group, a resource centre, online links, and photos and minutes from previous meetings.
Adele Reinhartz, associate vice-president research, will be the speaker at the next meeting, on March 24, 2006, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 120 University (Room 214). All female faculty are welcome to attend. A light lunch will be provided. To RSVP, e-mail bkerr@uOttawa.ca.
